Location: Fort Myers, FL•In-State Tuition: $6,118•Out-of-State Tuition: $25,162•Admission Rate: 77%•Avg SAT: 1120
Median Earnings (1yr)
$55,882
59th percentile
60th percentile in Florida
Median Debt
$21,239
9% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.38 ManageableSample: 69 graduates

Analysis

Florida Gulf Coast's finance program quietly outperforms most expectations for a school with a 77% admission rate. Graduates earn $55,882 in their first year—ahead of both the national median ($53,590) and the Florida median ($51,633)—and see strong earnings growth to nearly $71,000 by year four. At 60th percentile among Florida finance programs, FGCU graduates earn more than those from over half the state's finance schools, despite competing against flagship programs like UF and UM that draw higher-SAT students.

The debt picture reinforces the value proposition. At $21,239, student borrowing sits below both state and national medians, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.38. This means graduates owe less than five months of their first-year salary—a manageable starting point for building wealth in a finance career. The 27% earnings jump from year one to year four suggests graduates are advancing into more lucrative roles quickly, which makes sense for a field where professional credentials and experience compound over time.

For families considering finance programs in Florida without the price tag or admission requirements of UF or UM, FGCU delivers comparable early-career outcomes at what appears to be lower financial risk. The combination of moderate debt, above-average starting salaries, and strong income growth makes this a solid choice for students who want access to Florida's financial services industry.

Where Florida Gulf Coast University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

Florida Gulf Coast UniversityOther finance and financial management services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Florida Gulf Coast University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Florida Gulf Coast University earns $56k — 59th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Florida Gulf Coast University$55,882$70,927+27%
University of Miami$70,352$89,692+27%
University of Florida$70,663$83,279+18%
The University of Tampa$51,845$76,735+48%
Florida State University$56,516$75,328+33%

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (30 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers$6,118$55,882$70,927$21,2390.38
University of FloridaGainesville$6,381$70,663$83,279$17,9540.25
University of MiamiCoral Gables$59,926$70,352$89,692$14,5000.21
Florida State UniversityTallahassee$5,656$56,516$75,328$18,1620.32
University of Central FloridaOrlando$6,368$56,415$66,928$18,8430.33
Stetson UniversityDeLand$55,220$55,161$69,299$24,6710.45
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Florida Gulf Coast University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 69 graduates with reported earnings and 54 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.